Definition
A code set representing standardised regional areas of Australia. The aim of Statistical areas level 3 (SA3s) is to create a standard framework for the analysis of ABS data at the regional level through clustering groups of Statistical areas level 2 (SA2s) that have similar regional characteristics. Statistical Areas Level 3 (SA3s) are designed for the output of regional data and most have populations between 30,000 and 130,000 people.
Conceptual Domain
GeospatialRepresentation
| Description | SA3s are identified by 5-digit hierarchical codes. This comprises a 1-digit State or Territory identifier followed by a 2-digit SA4 identifier, unique within each State and Territory, and a 2-digit SA3 identifier, unique within each SA4. |
|---|---|
| Data Type | NUMBERSTRING |
| Format | N(5) |
| Maximum character length | 5 |
Comments
There are 358 SA3s. In aggregate, they cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. These include 18 non-spatial SA3 special purpose codes, comprising Migratory–Offshore–Shipping and No Usual Address codes for each State and Territory.
SA3s are designed to provide a regional breakdown of Australia. They generally have a population of between 30,000 and 130,000 people. In regional areas, SA3s represent the area serviced by regional cities that have a population over 20,000 people. In the major cities, SA3s represent the area serviced by a major transport and commercial hub. They often closely align to large urban Local Government Areas (e.g. Gladstone, Geelong). In outer regional and remote areas, SA3s represent areas which are widely recognised as having a distinct identity and similar social and economic characteristics.
There are a small number of "zero SA3s". These have an effective design population of zero and represent very large National Parks close to the outskirts of major cities.
The SA3s were designed using a number of criteria which reflect a balance between respective considerations. Listed below are the criteria in the approximate order of importance.
SA3 coding structure:
An SA3 is identified by a 5-digit hierarchical code. This comprises a 1-digit state/territory identifier followed by a 2-digit SA4 identifier, unique within each state/territory, and a 2-digit SA3 identifier, unique within each SA4.
For example:
| State/territory | SA4 | SA3 |
| N | NN | NN |
Origin
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas July 2016. ABS cat. no. 1270.0.55.001. Canberra: ABS.
Related content
| Relation | Count |
|---|---|
| Data Elements implementing this Value Domain | 4 |